Direct Service

Each year direct service volunteers provide over 20,000 hours of client support. Upon completion of certification (at our office), and supported by ongoing training, our direct service volunteers serve as hotline counselors, in-house counselors, support group facilitators, as well as court and shelter advocates. Qualified candidates are 18 years of age or older if providing direct service, are good listeners, and are non-judgmental.

Direct Service Positions:

Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Hotline Counselor

In-House Counselor

Court Advocate

Shelter Advocate

Support Group Facilitator

Clerical (Filing, Copying, etc.)

If you are interested in becoming a Direct Service volunteer, please contact the Women’s Center today!

Non-Direct Service

Non-direct service volunteers help with our Annual 4K SafeWalk, Annual Breakfast and Gala, holiday programs, and many other project-specific events. Our Board of Director volunteers provide countless hours of service via committee work, fundraising activities, and ensuring the ongoing fulfillment of the Center's mission. Members of our Advisory Council provide us with invaluable expertise and program feedback throughout the year. The staff is indebted to our volunteer force and welcomes you to become a part of this worthwhile organization. Together we can make a difference and work to end the violence.

Non-Direct Service Positions:

Board of Directors

Annual Fundraising Event

Child Care

Holiday Help

How to Become a Volunteer

Fill Out a Volunteer Application

Download a printable Direct Service application; Download a printable Non-Direct Service application

Schedule an Interview

Call (203) 731-5200, x 202 to schedule a short interview with the Volunteer Coordinator.

Training

All direct service positions require certification training. This training (in both sexual assault and domestic violence) is held two or three times a year. Additional specialized trainings are required for positions such as in-house counselors and support group facilitators.

Note:

Volunteer jobs can be performed on-site; or, for non-business hour hotline and some non-direct positions, from your home. Although we have expanded evening and weekend hours for counseling, most non-direct volunteering is done during business hours on Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM.

Service Above Self Award

PEGGY GISONNY

The Women’s Center’s Service Above Self Award was established to recognize individuals who demonstrate dedication and commitment to our mission and the services we provide throughout our 13-town region. It is, as the name of the award connotes, someone who puts service above themselves.

This year’s recipient, Peggy Gisonny, received our Service Above Self Award due to her ongoing commitment to the mission of the Women's Center. Peggy was a Direct Service Volunteer at the Women's Center for the past 10 years. She worked onsite answering the hotlines and counseling those in need of assistance. Peggy, along with her husband and two children, moved to New Fairfield, CT from Long Island in 1995. While living on Long Island, she worked as a registered nurse in the medical/surgical unit, eventually leaving employment to be a full-time mom. She was also a long-time volunteer with the Community Service Club of New Fairfield, and currently volunteers with Guiding Eyes for the Blind as a Puppy Socializer.

When she became an 'empty nester', Peggy was looking for a new challenging volunteer opportunity that would help make a difference in the lives of women. She found that role at the Women's Center. While her work with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault was emotionally difficult at times, it also proved to be very rewarding. She particularly enjoyed working with and learning from the staff. She is in awe of the dedication and sacrifices made by all who work and volunteer at the Women's Center, and is very thankful that she had the opportunity to be a part of such an important organization. Peggy looks forward to more world travels with her husband and plans to continue supporting the Women's Center.